7/17/22    This  photo in June 2020 below was Joe's & my last great escape from Chevy Chase House.  He was not allowed "off nursing home grounds due Covid"  but I told them he had a Drs appt...and off we went for 6 hours to the Middleburg home of  Lenny (Gtown classmate)  & his wife .  The we went  over to  Paris, Va. - The Ashby Inn  ( a fav spot for us) and had lovely dinner with Joe's sister Carol & partner, Ross.  Joe was so thrilled.  WE had the top down on my Beemer and Joe  smoked TWO cigars during our outing...and slept most of next day since outings wore him out.   Of course, management was not pleased with me  AND ...it was so so worth it.   Joe died unexpectedly  about  3 weeks later of sepsis in a Rehab.   I miss him, think of him often and cherish many memories.  What a character!         

Shocked today when told of Joe passing. Terrific guy and great restaurant owner. Always looked up to Joe and he was gracious and kind to me when. I was a student at GW. As a restaurant owner myself I admired Joe and often stopped at Chadwicks when I was in DC. A big loss of a special guy.

My first recollections were our days at Georgetown. Right from the start was his ability to have fun and include everyone into his happiness. Also I was quite surprised how good he played in our intramural basketball. He played with no fear. Of course, he is remembered for his contributions into the Class reunions and the welcome whenever we stopped by his restaurants which were very welcoming. Lastly, Susan and I moved next to his home  town of Shrewsbury and our son went to his high school. We are astounded with the amount of friends that knew him from his early days. The reverence they had with his reputation of being a good guy and somebody that was admired for his family is just remarkable. I will miss his smile and genuine character. 
 God Bless Joe!

Joe was the manager of The Publick House in the 70’s when I was a student at Georgetown. I had a trio that played there on weekends for a time, and I played solo piano there on weekends and evenings for several years. He was always very good to me and my group, and to all the staff. I remember the celebrities we used to get at the restaurant, and how well Joe treated them, as he did all his customers. He was a good and decent man, who was generous to me when I needed work, and I’ve always been grateful to him for that. My sincere condolences to his family for their loss. 
Keith D. Davis

Ahh, a comrade down or should I say UP!!
What an endearing soul in JOE. 
I would visit Chardwick's when visiting my sister in the neighborhood. 
I would say to whoever greeted me to tell Joe that his best friend was here to see him.
What could he do? He came or I went to his "office."
And we had a quick chat that solved at least one of the world's  problems and/or OURS!   
sooo sweet.  What a smile.
so gracious. 
The eldest of 10... and that's a feat, too. 
We/I will so miss him.
We will all be changing our address to his in the future. 
All is not lost. 
God bless Kathleen and the entire family. 
Anne Ford Critchley  GUNS 1968

I knew many of Joe’s siblings from their  days in Hawaii, and had the pleasure of meeting him a few times over the span of decades. Like all of the McGuinnesses, it was a pleasure to  spend time with him. True to the peculiar nature of the universe, my first introduction to Joe was when we met randomly in line at the ‘84 Final Four in Seattle,  waiting to see Georgetown play. I’m sure that Joe will be greatly missed by all in his family, and by his many friends. Love to all. 

Kathleen, 
I was so very saddened to learn of Joe's passing. He was such a kind and wonderful person. Please know you and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
With sympathy and love,
Katie Kehoe

Aloha Joe ,
Certainly missing you many good times hanging at the beach, smoking  cigars barbecues, and friendship.
 Conversations peppered with true feelings beyond who you know and what connections are had. Visit visiting DC and the back garden  at the Edition or coming to Friendship Heights with my kids and family and you open your heart and restaurant like your home. You were a class act here and are up there with the best of company. One less seat here but you have the best view now. I'll see you soon in Gods time and your gravely "hello how are you" rings in my head and heart. You are loved and until we meet again.  Me ke aloha pumehana, Jojo

For over 50 years, Joe and I worked together.  When we met, Joe was in college at Georgetown University and he introduced  me to the community.
Joe was an integral part in the first Chadwicks and the restaurants that followed.
I will miss him; he was a big part of my life and the Chadwicks community.
Margaret and I send our love and condolences to Kathleen and the McGuinness family.

Joe will be missed by his classmates at Georgetown from the Class of 1968, especially at our reunions which he always livened up.



My late husband, David Francis, and Joe were close friends from their first day at Georgetown, to say the least, true soulmates. They were a "couple" long before I showed up and later when we were all roommates, they were still more married to each other than I was...and for them, the connection was never broken, never interrupted. And when David died young, at 49, Joe was there every step of the way, for David and for me and for our children, another "Uncle." The remarkable thing is how often he did this,  "there" for everyone in his orbit, which was more than large, it was enormous. Always. The Mayor of Georgetown for all who returned and made their way to Chadwicks just to "touch base." And in Kathleen, he found a Woman Warrior, tenacious not only in her her love for him but in her unceasing efforts to make his life better in every way. She even snuck him out on dates, slipped him cigars and made sure the chocolate stash was always replenished, making his life better every single day.  Joe was more than just an important piece of David for our family, he was this resilient, irreverent Godsend. Everyone should have a Joe McGuinness in their lives and everyone should have a Kathleen to love them as much Kathleen loved Joe. 

Dru Francis, 
School of Foreign Service
 Georgetown '68 

A great friend for over 50 years who will be greatly missed. Lunches at Chads with Beaver and Joe were always way to much fun. I intend to give Joe a toast over the weekend, just for old times sake, with a Heineken and maybe a GM.   RIP

Dear Kathleen,
I am so sorry for your loss.  May the many fond memories of Joe, sustain you and your family through this difficult time.  Hugs!
Kathy

I managed  Chadwicks for a year and that was the best year of my life. Thanks to my old man for that!

You have made a great obituary for a unique friend. Joe was always friendly and fun to be with during those wild GU years , which we will never forget.
May you rest in peace and start setting up the bar  for our arrival and keep the party going!!

Adios Amigo

Gustavo

Joe Mac... What a character. The funniest thing I remember is that my interview for a management job at Chadwick's took place on his lap. Can't tell you why, but it just seemed the right thing to do at the time.  Many memories following and he will be missed! Nadia

I have shared on other postings that Joe and a few other characters taught me how to behave on the other side of the bar back in the early years of Chadwicks in Georgetown. There were many a mornings that I woke up rather upset with how Joe finished is off the night before. Later in life, Joe’s Chadwicks fed my family and was a ritualistic stop for my daughter and I on the half days at the beginning of the Christmas holidays. That warm smile, the pat on the back, always made the connection of over 40 + years of play.  So sorry; we have lost another DC institution. 

Dennis Brown (aka D-Boy), Slow Joe and I started working at Chadwicks in the very early 70's. We taught Joe everything and given his success as the owner of Chad's, we did a great job. Seeing him grow over these many years has been great fun. He was a roommate with Dr. Kane and Dane Goodfellow at the Hotel Q in Georgetown. Brought in Dick Scalise for balance. Slow Joe was never fast Joe and the ascribed pace seemed to fit. Marvelous person and personality. The original bar scene members- McCooey, Long, Laytham and many other great characters now have another player in their midst. One of a kind and wonderful in every respect.

Even after John died, Joe would bring the delicious bacon from Chads and I would provide the egg salad as we continued that long  Saturday Brunch tradition. 
I am and I’m sure John would be very saddened by Joe‘s passing. 
My sincerest condolences to all his family. 
Kristin Durfee

Everyone knows Joe's love of GU basketball.  He loved our womens basketball team as well. Joe always got on me for having too many guards,  not enough big girls. He thought we should have a Ewing-Mourning-Moutumbo every  year. I'd always rib him back.  We had some great guards during that time...didn't matter There! There are too many lunches and dinners at K St or Friendship Heights to speak of that were entertaining as hell. Love you Joe Mac!

Lots of Love and Prayers  to you, Kathleen, and all the family.  "A life well-lived" is the story of his life.  May he now rest in peace.  He will be missed, but the memories he has left with all who knew him will last.  I know he is up there with many who have gone before him, Including my Jack - and they are sharing laughs and memories together.     Rest in Peace, Joe


Dear Kathleen & family,

We are very sorry to hear that Joe recently passed away.  He was such a gentle soul and fun to be with. We are thinking of you and wish you all the best during these difficult times.

Hugs 🤗 - Carl & Ellen

My sincerest sympathy to Kathleen and the entire McGuinness family on the passing of Joe.  He was a larger than life figure and left quite a legacy.  May his memory serve as a blessing.  

We were roommates for several years. I was in the process of a divorce.  I came for a weekend and I had so much fun I stayed for several years! Joe even got me a lawyer; a fellow Hoya John Siciliano.

Once he was schedule to fly out of National and his ride stood him up. So he at the last minute, he reluctantly asked me for a ride. He didn't want to leave his beautiful Silver Alfa-Romeo at the Airport.

So I slipped on my driving gloves; pull out of Q Street onto Foxhall Road and roared toward airport. We only got airborne once as we set a new lap record.  Halfway there he said sheepishly I THINK WE"RE GOING TO MAKE.  I smiled and said LET's NOT TAKE A CHANCE and pressed the pedal harder.

Seriously, he helped smooth out my rough edges, taught me to smile a lot more.  He was lot of fun and he was very loyal. An extremely important trait. He had style. 

Joe was my first love . Those crazy , carefree days happen once in a lifetime  and are forever imprinted in our brains - Nothing like it ever happens to us again ! 
I will love this crazy Irishman forever ! 
Bless you Kathleen for sharing Joe’s last weeks with me - I will not forget !
Didi Dowling Dame

I worked for Chadwicks for 22 years. Joe McGuinness was always there. He was nit picky and annoying and some days I wanted to storm out.
But you know what? He was right pretty much all the time. Things like punctuality and looking good and cleaning as you go may not have been what I wanted to hear all the time but they are the first steps on the way to being a professional.
Some days he would pull up outside the Old Town location and the staff would scurry around with “He’s here! He’s here!” and immediately pay more attention to detail.
He would sit in his car for an hour, probably read up on some Georgetown basketball, then leave.
I asked him why he did that years later and he simply said, “because even the thought of me scares people straight”. Haha. Classic.
He is also the guy that when my dad (who he never met) passed away, he (and Beaver) drove two hours each way to pop in to the wake for 10 minutes and pay respects and say some kind words to my mom.
He is also the guy that when I went to him humble and ashamed and told him I needed time off to go to rehab simply said, “Go get healthy. Take a the time you need. If you want a job when you come back it’s here. If not, I understand.”
Joe was crotchety and wonderful and I was proud to work for him at a place like Chadwicks. I got to grow up in the type of place that I just don’t see anymore. Chadwicks was family. The staff, the guests, and anyone that came in there.
My love and condolences go out to his family. Especially his kids Sean, Megan and Molly, who I saw grow up before my eyes. 
Because you hated when I said this, and I never got a chance to tell you again in person, I will say it now and finally get the last word: 
“Georgetown is a fine school but they are irrelevant as a national basketball presence.”
Thanks for everything, Joe Mac!

The news of Joe's passing broke my heart but then I heard his distinctive voice and saw that infectious grin and smiled at so many memories. My prayers for all the family and Godspeed to you Joe. You were a legend in your own time and central to decades of history in Washington. We will truly miss you. 

Kathleen,
I was so sorry to hear about Joe's passing from my brother, Kevin, and sister, Joan.
I can't begin to imagine what these last months must have been like for both of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love and Peace,
Clare O'C
(Class of '68)



My deepest sympathies to your family. He was a wonderful person and it has been an honor to call him a friend for over 50 years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

So sorry to hear the news about Joe. We last connected at our 50th CBA reunion.  I have many fond memories  of our high-school days at CBA.  Rest in peace Joe.

To Paul & the entire McGuinness Family,

My thoughts and prayers are withyou at this difficult time.

My deepest condolences to all his his family. I was proud to call him my friend and mentor. I have so many fond memories of Joe that he will always be in my heart...he was a bigger than life character and I will surely miss him.

OBITUARY

Joseph H. McGuinness IV

January 16, 1946 – July 17, 2020

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

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